The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Tonal variations from one day to the next

Author: NBeaty
Date: 2010-11-07 22:46

Hey Paul, (It's Nathan btw, but you'd have no way of knowing that!=) )

Thanks for further clarification. On this topic, keeping it simple is not as clear as we would like as far as what actually happens with the body and what we should be thinking of regarding breathing.

Testament to this complexity is that you can have very poor air support while having your abdomen be very actively pressing. You can also have great air support with your abdomen pushing out.

Most wind players, especially those dealing with medium to high pressures (clarinets\oboes respectively) have some degree of unnecessary tightness in their chest\throat. Many times with students who have low tongue position or too much "space" open inside their mouth will have this problem in an attempt to focus their air.

Many clarinetists today use reeds\equipment which necessitates a higher pressure. Blowing on "boards" in the 4-5 range will make a player use a higher pressure of air just to make the reed vibrate. Tension in the chest and throat often accompanies this as well to "bear down" on an unresponsive setup.

Clarinetists are lucky that we can get by with a setup\instrument that have medium to medium low pressure and resistance. This is why it is so easy to do a niente diminuendo on clarinet with minimal effort.

In general, I don't find abdomen pressure to be very affective when discussing breathing. What I think, and have been taught by private teachers as well as a graduate seminar on breathing for musicians, is that a fast stream of air, somewhat expanded ribcage, relaxed chest and throat, and resisting the abdomen's natural willingness to collapse.

Embouchure is also a important, as it is the "end of the hose" in the hose analogy for breathing and has an affect on other aspects.

I'm a strong advocate for a setup that is conducive to efficiency...a topic for another day and another thread.

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics